Buoyant cable



W. T. PEIRCE July 28, 1936.

BUOYANT CABLE Filed March 27, 1933 LCS Invenfo: Wl/ E/Q 7". P RC5Patented July 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEl BUOYANT CABLEAppuauon maren 21, 19:3, serai No. seam 4 clam. (ci. 11s-zw Thisinvention relates to radio antennae, one of the objects being to providean antenna suitable i'or use. with submarine boats. Other objects may beinferred.

5 Generally speaking, the new antenna includes a conductor covered byinsulation. It is characterized in that the ratio of its weight to itsvol urne is proportioned to render it inherently buoyant. Therefore,when released from a submarine,

whether submerged or afloat, the antenna immediately seeks the waterssurface. 'Ihere it should ride at a sutilcient height for properreception. This height may be determined experimentally, and the weightto volume relationship oi' the antenna varied accordingly.

An example of the above is illustrated by the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a side view. Here the parts are spaced more closely thanpractice indicates as desirable, to secure a better illustrative eiIect.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional enlargement.

l Figures 3 and 4 are lcross-sections from the lines III-III and IV-IVin Figure 2.

A hollow conductor I is provided externally with insulation 2 andinternally at spaced points with water-tight partitions l. The properfloating height may be obtained by varying the diameter and material ofthe conductor I, the thickness and material of the insulation 2 and thelength and material of the partitions, 3. Of

course, the outside diameter should be kept within reasonable limits topermit proper handling and carriage by a submarine.

More specifically, the conductor I is made from a length of coiledaluminum strip having interlocked edges. This may generally follow theconstruction of armoring on cables commonly known by the term B- Thestrip may be perforated, ii necessary to diminish its weight. Theinsulation 2 and partitions 3 are of rubber stock and may be applied inany manner found preferable. The partitions are illustrated as rubberplugs over which the conductor I is formed. and they fit sufllcientlyclose to be water-tight, 'I'heir function is to prevent completeflooding of the antenna when it is only locally damaged.

Although a specific form oi' this invention has 6 been shown anddescribed in accordance with the patent statutes, it is not intended tolimit the scope of the invention exactly thereto, except as defined bythe following claims.

I claim: l0

1. A cable including a longitudinally flexible laterally rigid hollowconductor, and water-tight insulation covering said conductor, theweight to volume ratio of said conductor and insulation beingproportioned to render said cable buoyant. 15

2. A cable including a longitudinally flexible laterally rigid hollowconductor, water-tight insulation covering said conductor andwater-tight partitions arranged Inside said conductor at spaced points.the weight to volume ratio of said 20 conductor and insulation beingproportioned to render said cable buoyant.

3. A cable for communication or power transmission to a submerged orfloating vessel including a length o! coiled aluminum strip, rubber 25insulation applied over said length and rubber plugs tightly fitted insaid length at spaced points, said cable having such a weight to volumeratio as will render it buoyant and said plugs having solid end facesforming water-tight partitions 30 in said length.

4. A-.cable for communication or power transmission to a submerged orfloating vessel including a length of coiled aluminum strip havinginterlocked edges, rubber insulation applied over 35 'y said length andrubber plugs tightly fitted in said length at spaced points, said cablehaving such a weight to volume ratio as will render it buoyant and saidplugs having solid end faces forming water-tight partitions in saidlength. 40

WALTER v T. PEIRCE.

